Cigna surveyed 20,000 adults online across the country. … Fifty-six percent reported they sometimes or always felt like the people around them “are not necessarily with them.”

Leaders who habitually close the door and plow through work – because there’s so much to do – are falling behind where it matters most.

Relationship building is messy but necessary. Schedules are full. People aren’t perfect.

9 relationship building tips for CEOs:

“It’s all about building the relationships that create trust. It’s not rocket science but most managers don’t do it. They don’t take the time to do it.” (The Front-Line Leader, by Chris Van Gorder, CEO of Scripps Health.)

Don’t act superior. Take care of the people who take care of others.

Dress like a person. In general, wear what employees wear.

Do their job. Once a month spend a day on the front-line.

Answer every email from an employee.

Go to the gemba (the real place). Van Gorder spends 20% of his time walking around.

7 thoughts on “20% Walk Around Time And Other Tips for Successful CEOs”

One danger of becoming isolated is that the leader is often perceived as fearful and weak by “barricading” themselves in their office, even if their own intent is to be busy with important tasks. A weak leader cannot be effective. As stated, trust is the key and can’t really be created apart from the relationships built through the day to day contacts between leaders, staff and line personnel. Someone said “to know as we would be known” to our fellow travelers on the journey.

Thanks Jim. It’s great that you came at this with an appreciation for perception. A closed door sends a message. You’re right, it takes strength to be a relational leader, especially when you have to do tough things.

The best way to build a perfect relationship especially with employees is to create an awareness of team-play during meet-up with the team, to create a challenge platform of creativity and to welcome feedback in every angle. Crafting time out less than 40 minutes create a positive impact in the team ’cause everyone now knows and understands that you care about them and are free to voice out their challenges and creative feedback on the next step to trail upon… THANKS!